Quote
By Alexander Hamilton
There is no position which depends on clearer principles, than that every act of a delegated authority, contrary to the tenor of the commission under which it is exercised, is void.
- Source
- The Federalist No. 78, May 28, 1788 · The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, vol. 4, pp. 655-663
- Read at
- Founders Online, National Archives (The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, vol. 4)
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About this quote
From Federalist No. 78, written by Alexander Hamilton under the name Publius and first published in New York on May 28, 1788. This is the argument for courts being able to declare laws void when they go against the constitution. Founders Online lists the author as Alexander Hamilton, writing as "Publius."